WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., commended the appointment of Dr. Damon Darsey to the FirstNet Authority Board of Directors. Senator Wicker recommended Dr. Darsey to the Acting Associate Administrator of the Office of Public Safety Communications at the U.S. Department of Commerce and Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The Board of Directors provides oversight of FirstNet, which is a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network designed to connect first responders across departments for large-scale disasters. The board is also responsible for providing FirstNet with overall policy direction and strategic guidance.

“Dr. Darsey has been a leader in public safety for Mississippi. For years, he has been engaged in the policy, development, technical, and political challenges around deploying a dedicated public safety network. His experience as the Medical Director for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety is a valuable asset to the board’s composition. I am confident he will continue to be an advocate for our communities and first responders,” Senator Wicker said. 

Since 2010, Dr. Darsey has been the principal investigator of nearly $36 million of grants focusing on the clinical and academic interest of improving the communications, care, and coordination of first responders and in-field medical care.